‘We Came to Play!': Kid’s Self-Built Cardboard Arcade Hits the Big Time

If this 11-minute documentary about a 9-year-old named Caine doesn’t restore (or strengthen) your faith in humanity, it’s going to be a long day.

Working out of his dad’s used auto parts shop in East LA, Caine built his own arcade full of games made from cardboard over the summer. Dutifully staffing the arcade by himself each weekend, Caine finally landed his first customer, filmmaker Nirvan Mullick.

Mullick was presented with two options: a $1 pass good for four games, or the $2 “Fun Pass” good for 500 plays. He opted for the Fun Pass, of course. “I was blown away,” said Mullick. “Caine’s only sold one Fun Pass? The Fun Pass is an awesome deal.”

Mullick asked Caine’s father for permission to shoot a short documentary about Caine’s Arcade, which was granted. But the filmmaker didn’t stop there: He turned to Facebook and Reddit to organize a surprise flashmob to show up at Caine’s Arcade one Sunday.

The story is documented in the above video and at CainesArcade.com, where there’s a section to donate to Caine’s college fund as well.